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BlogWood Florida Voting Guide - Part I: Amendments

AMENDMENT 1 - NO

Official Title : Parental Notification of a Minor’s Termination of Pregnancy

Official Ballot Language: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature to require by general law for notification to a parent or guardian of a minor before the termination of the minor's pregnancy. The amendment provides that the Legislature shall not limit or deny the privacy rights guaranteed to minors under the United States Supreme Court. The Legislature shall provide exceptions to such requirement for notification and shall create a process for judicial waiver of the requirement for notification.

More attempts by rich white males to put their dirty laws all over a woman’s body. Vote NO.

AMENDMENT 2 - NO

Official Title: Constitutional Amendments Proposed by Initiative

Ballot Language: Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to require the sponsor of a constitutional amendment proposed by citizen initiative to file the initiative petition with the Secretary of State by February 1 of the year of a general election in order to have the measure submitted to the electors for approval or rejection at the following November's general election, and to require the Florida Supreme Court to render an advisory opinion addressing the validity of an initiative petition by April 1 of the year in which the amendment is to be submitted to the electors.

This is Jeb!’s attempt to slap down the democratic process in Florida. Why does Jeb! hate democracy? Vote NO.

AMENDMENT 3 - NO

Official Title: The Medical Liability Claimant’s Compensation Amendment

Ballot Language: Proposes to amend the State Constitution to provide that an injured claimant who enters into a contingency fee agreement with an attorney in a claim for medical liability is entitled to no less than 70% of the first $250,000.00 in all damages received by the claimant, and 90% of damages in excess of $250,000.00, exclusive of reasonable and customary costs and regardless of the number of defendants. This amendment is intended to be self-executing.

Republicans are pissed that lawyers can get rich by going to bat for people who deserve compensation. Vote NO

AMENDMENT 4 - YES

Official Title: Authorizes Miami-Dade and Broward County Voters to Approve Slot Machines In Parimutuel Facilities

Ballot Language: Authorizes Miami-Dade and Broward Counties to hold referenda on whether to authorize slot machines in existing, licensed parimutuel facilities (thoroughbred and harness racing, greyhound racing, and jai alai) that have conducted live racing or games in that county during each of the last two calendar years before effective date of this amendment. The Legislature may tax slot machine revenues, and any such taxes must supplement public education funding statewide. Requires implementing legislation.

Gambling, like drugs, is a victimless “crime.” I am for the decriminalization of all victimless crimes, including gambling, prostitution, and drug use. Vote YES.

AMENDMENT 5 - YES

Official Title: Florida Minimum Wage Amendment

Ballot Language: This amendment creates a Florida minimum wage covering all employees in the state covered by the federal minimum wage. The state minimum wage will start at $6.15 per hour six months after enactment, and thereafter be indexed to inflation each year. It provides for enforcement, including double damages for unpaid wages, attorney's fees, and fines by the state. It forbids retaliation against employees for exercising this right.

Don’t buy into the tired old argument that raising the minimum wage somehow hurts poor people. Vote YES.

AMENDMENT 6 - NO

Official Title: Repeal of High Speed Rail Amendment

Ballot Language: This amendment repeals an amendment in the Florida Constitution that requires the Legislature, the Cabinet and the Governor to proceed with the development and operation of a high speed ground transportation system by the state and/or by a private entity.

This is Jeb!’s other attempt to slap democracy in the face - the people have spoken and they said they want high speed rail. Jeb! doesn’t like being told what to do, but that’s too bad. Vote NO.

AMENDMENT 7 - YES

Official Title: Patients' Right to Know About Adverse Medical Incidents

Ballot Language: Current Florida law restricts information available to patients related to investigations of adverse medical incidents, such as medical malpractice. This amendment would give patients the right to review, upon request, records of health care facilities' or providers' adverse medical incidents, including those which could cause injury or death. Provides that patients' identities should not be disclosed.

The AMA is concerned with doctor’s profits, not the wellness of patients. More information for the consumer is good. Vote YES.

AMENDMENT 8 - YES

Official Title: Public Protection from Repeated Medical Malpractice

Ballot Language: Current law allows medical doctors who have committed repeated malpractice to be licensed to practice medicine in Florida. This amendment prohibits medical doctors who have been found to have committed three or more incidents of medical malpractice from being licensed to practice medicine in Florida.

The real way to keep insurance costs down is to keep incompetent doctors from making more mistakes. Vote YES.

Here's a one page pdf version of this guide that you can print and take to the polls, or share with your friends.